Qatargate: Margaritis Schinas also targeted by investigation after Avramopoulos
New elements from the European arrest warrant implicate Margaritis Schinas in the high-profile Qatargate corruption affair, following Dimitris Avramopoulos.
Qatargate: Margaritis Schinas also targeted by investigation after Avramopoulos
New elements have emerged from the European arrest warrant targeting Dimitris Avramopoulos, also implicating Margaritis Schinas in the high-profile Qatargate corruption affair, according to Greek newspaper TA NEA.
The former European Commissioner, questioned by Mega and Sarantis Michalopoulos, avoided commenting on the substance of the matter, referring to decisions by the European Commission itself. "There is no need for me to say anything, the Commission's spokesman took a clear position some time ago and explained everything in detail," Mr Schinas stated.
Maximou Palace has supported the New Democracy MP since the initial revelations of the affair. Avramopoulos himself claims he "will not apologise to anyone" and explains that he did not present himself to Belgian police who had already summoned him for clarification.
According to the report, the former Commissioner states that his participation, with a salary of €5,000, on the board of the NGO of former MEP Panzeri, considered to be the head of the criminal organisation, had been approved by the President of the European Commission.
However, Belgian authorities, according to consistent information, have found that Mr Avramopoulos was acting through the controversial NGO to exercise influence in favour of visa exemption for Qatar, and that the former Commissioner was in contact with the Kaili-Tzortzi couple.
Furthermore, the meeting between Avramopoulos and the former MEP in Doha in 2020 was described by the Kaili-Tzortzi couple as a "historic event".
Mr Avramopoulos's criticism of Michalis Chrysochoidis concerning the retention of the warrant in the drawer of the Ministry of Citizens' Protection constituted the second most resonant "rebuke" of the conservative MP.
Sources from the Ministry of Citizens' Protection emphasise that "the European arrest warrant was transmitted within 24 hours to the competent prosecutor of the Court of Appeal of Athens for further measures, whilst Hellenic Police acted as in every similar case for the enforcement of the European arrest warrant".
Opposition leaders are not letting pass unnoticed the attempt by Mr Avramopoulos to avoid extradition to the Belgian authorities.
The lifting of Mr Avramopoulos's immunity will be discussed in plenary session in early July.
Source: TA NEA
Source: Ta Nea